1. (noun) maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage, abuse
cruel or inhumane treatment
"the child showed signs of physical abuse"
2. (noun) abuse, insult, revilement, contumely, vilification
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
"when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team"
3. (verb) misuse, abuse
improper or excessive use
"alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds"
4. (verb) mistreat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treat
treat badly
"This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
5. (verb) pervert, misuse, abuse
change the inherent purpose or function of something
"Don't abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"
6. (verb) abuse, clapperclaw, blackguard, shout
use foul or abusive language towards
"The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
7. (verb) abuse
use wrongly or improperly or excessively
"Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"
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Definition of 'abuse' 
